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Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill ‘never’ requested a trade in meeting with team brass, GM says

Miami Dolphins star receiver Tyreek Hill made it pretty clear after Sunday’s loss to the New York Jets that he was ready to move on, but according to general manager Chris Grier, that wasn’t the case the following day. 

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Grier addressed Hill’s comments, adding that he and head coach Mike McDaniel met with the veteran wideout on Monday to discuss his postgame remarks and the fact that he appeared to leave the game early. 

"I will say Mike and I both had conversations with Tyreek here yesterday, productive conversations. I will keep those between us," he said, according to the team’s transcript. 

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"The one thing I would say is in a frustrating season, he was very emotional in a game where we had a chance coming back from 2-6. I would say that’s probably the thing I’m most proud of the players and Mike and the coaching staff; that we were 2-6 and were playing Week 18 to potentially sneak in the playoffs. And I think all of that with him playing through his injury just kind of bubbled to a point and from our conversations – again, we’ll keep that private – but we had productive conversations."

Grier said that while Hill did not "backtrack" on his comments, he did not specifically request a trade. 

"No, I would say, but he never asked for a trade with me."

TYREEK HILL CHANNELS ANTONIO BROWN AFTER REMARKS ABOUT FUTURE WITH DOLPHINS

The Dolphins’ slim chances of making the playoffs were taken away by a 30-22 loss to the already-eliminated Jets on Sunday. Hill was not available in the fourth quarter and after the game he indicated that he was ready to move on. 

"This is the first time I haven’t been in the playoffs," he said. "For me, I have to do what’s best for me and my family, if that’s here or wherever the case may be. I’m (going to) open that door for myself. I’m opening the door.

"I’m out, bro. It was great playing here, but at the end of the day, I've got to do what's best for my career.... I'm too much of a competitor to be just out there."

McDaniel echoed Grier’s perspective of Monday’s meeting, adding that he also leveled with Hill over his decision to pull himself out of the game early. 

"I was very direct with him. He was very honest and it was great terms that we were discussing. Discussed multiple things, including, without wavering, that it’s not acceptable to leave a game and won’t be tolerated in the future, and he embraced accountability."

Of their relationship, McDaniel added, "I wouldn’t say there’s anything necessarily to fix as much as we had to clear the air in a rough and tumultuous situation."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Tennis player hits woman in front row with errant racket throw

A woman in New Zealand had a scary moment on Tuesday when a tennis racket unexpectedly came flying in her direction.

The incident occurred during the first round of the ASB Classic in Auckland when Cameron Norrie hit a forehand return into the net.

Out of frustration, Norrie, who was playing in the same city he was born, threw the racket behind him, but he apparently flung it a little too far.

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The racket hit the woman in the front row, and Norrie was assessed a warning.

The woman was not hurt and actually played it off quite well.

"[The fan] was laughing, and I just said, ‘So sorry, I didn’t mean to do that.’ And she said, ‘Yeah, I’m completely OK.’ That was not a big deal," Norrie said after the match. "But as we saw with some other players, you can easily be defaulted if it catches them in the wrong spot or they’re not looking or something."

The racket throw occurred while Norrie was trailing 6-2, 5-3. He would lose that game shortly afterward to drop the match.

"It is completely not me to do something like that. I apologized very quickly, and I want to apologize in general. I’m not happy with how I behaved," Norrie said.

TENNIS STAR GABRIELA DABROWSKI REVEALS SHE PLAYED IN WIMBLEDON, OLYMPICS WHILE BATTLING BREAST CANCER

The first-round exit for Norrie comes two years after he made the final in the tournament.

At the 2020 U.S. Open, with the stands empty due to COVID-19 restrictions, Novak Djokovic was disqualified after accidentally hitting a line judge with a ball. At the 2023 French Open, Miyu Kato and Aldila Sutjiadi were defaulted from the women's doubles after a ball hit by Kato struck a ball girl.

The Auckland tournament gives players one final warm-up before the Australian Open. The singles draw will be revealed on Thursday, with the first round beginning Sunday.

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Scottie Scheffler to miss 2nd tournament over freak hand injury

Scottie Scheffler withdrew from The American Express on Monday, missing his second consecutive tournament due to injury. 

Scheffler, 28, underwent minor surgery to repair a glass puncture in his right hand suffered on Christmas. 

The world’s No. 1 player was preparing for Christmas dinner when he hurt his hand, which forced him to miss the beginning of the PGA Tour season at The Sentry in Hawaii, a signature event.

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"After consulting with my medical team, I have made the decision to withdraw from next week's American Express tournament to give my injury more time to heal," Scheffler said in an Instagram post.

Scheffler is hopeful of making his 2025 PGA Tour debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, a signature event that starts Jan. 30. 

The star American golfer is coming off an historic season, where he won nine times worldwide. 

REPUBLICAN SAYS TRUMP WAS PLAYING GOLF WHEN PRESIDENT-ELECT CALLED HIM TO SWITCH HOUSE SPEAKER VOTE TO JOHNSON

Scheffler won seven PGA Tour titles, while winning The Masters for a second time in his career. He also represented the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and won a gold medal after a late surge. 

With his strong showing in 2024, he became the first player since Tiger Woods to win PGA Tour player of the year in three consecutive seasons, since Woods did in 2005-2007. 

Scheffler also became the first player since Woods in 2009 to hold the No. 1 ranking for an entire calendar year.

With Scheffler dominating the competition, he set a record for prize money won in one season. He won $25 million for winning the FedEx Cup, making his total prize money for the 2024 season over $54 million. 

The American Express tournament is in Palm Desert, California, and is scheduled for Jan. 16-19. 

Fox News’ Ryan Morik and The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Suspect charged in deaths of NHL star Johnny Gaudreau, brother Matthew pleads not guilty

The man charged with killing NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, with his vehicle while they were biking pleaded not guilty on Tuesday, turning down the prosecution's offer of 35 years in prison. 

Just one day before their sister's wedding, the Gaudreau brothers were riding bikes near their childhood home when they were struck and killed by a vehicle on Aug. 29, 2024.

Sean Higgins, 44, was arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated manslaughter, two counts of vehicular homicide, evidence tampering and leaving the scene of an accident. 

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Police noted that Higgins had a blood alcohol level of .087, above New Jersey's legal limit to drive, and he failed a field sobriety test. Police also said Higgins was driving aggressively, which included speeding up to drive around multiple vehicles, when he hit the Gaudreaus.

Higgins' lawyers said in a statement in New Jersey court that they hope to prove the incident didn't occur due to "malfeasance" but instead "a combination of uniquely unfortunate circumstances unlikely to ever occur again."

FLAMES HONOR JOHNNY GAUDREAU WITH EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE MONTHS AFTER TRAGIC DEATH OF NHL STAR AND BROTHER

It's not yet been determined when Higgins is due next in court, though a trial is upcoming.

Johnny spent 11 seasons in the NHL, tallying 743 points (243 goals, 500 assists) over nine seasons with the Calgary Flames and two with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Johnny was set to begin his third season in Columbus. 

The Blue Jackets held a remembrance for Gaudreau in their home opener this season, raising a banner with members of the Gaudreau family attending the game and participating in a ceremonial puck drop. 

The Flames followed suit but waited until the Blue Jackets were in town for their game in December for an emotional pregame ceremony that included members of the Gaudreau family as well. 

Matthew was a Boston College standout during his four years with the program. He played for several teams after his college days were over, including the New York Islanders' AHL squad, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. 

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Cowboys’ Brandon Aubrey apologizes after kickoff goes awry, drills cheerleader in head

Dallas Cowboys cheerleader has shared the apology she received from kicker Brandon Aubrey after he drilled her in the back of the head with a ball during the first half of Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders.  

Michelle Siemienowski was standing on the sidelines when Aubrey’s kick went out of bounds near the 10-yard line at AT&T Stadium. 

Despite a cameraman’s attempts to deflect the ball, it hit Siemienowski in the back of the head, knocking her over. 

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She quickly stood up as her teammates checked on her. The broadcast caught Siemienowski smiling after the incident. 

She took to social media Monday to share that she was "fine," and to thank everyone for checking in. She also shared with fans a note that Aubrey wrote to her apologizing. 

"This past 24 hours has been a whirlwind! I got a ton of messages and I wanted to thank you all for checking in and for your kind words. I am all okay, so no need to worry," she wrote in a post on her Instagram Stories. 

COWBOYS CHEERLEADER DRILLED IN HEAD BY KICKOFF MISHAP IN FINAL GAME OF SEASON

"Also… Thank you [Aubrey] for this apology note! I was told he wanted to come find me on the field after the incident, but unfortunately I kept moving around on the field. He was so kind to write me a note anyways! No hard feelings here! And now I have a souvenir for my last game of my rookie season!" 

The note from Aubrey read, "Michelle, so sorry about hitting you on (kickoff)! Hope you are doing well! Love watching y’all!" 

Despite Sunday’s loss to the Commanders and the mishap on kickoff, Aubrey set a record with 40 field goals this season to become just the fifth kicker in NFL history with at least 40 field goals. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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College football coach fired for refusing COVID vaccine loses lawsuit after Obama-appointed judge's ruling

Former Washington State head football coach Nick Rolovich lost his lawsuit against the university after he was fired for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine during the 2021 season. 

U.S. District Judge Thomas Rice, who was appointed by President Barack Obama in June 2011, ruled Monday that Washington State could not accommodate Rolovich without undue hardship, including increased travel costs and hindered recruitment and fundraising efforts. The university also claimed damage to its reputation.

The university fired Rolovich, along with four assistant coaches, in October 2021 for refusing to comply with a mandate that required all state employees to be vaccinated. Rolovich filed his lawsuit soon after, claiming the university made an illegal termination in part because of "discriminatory and vindictive behavior" by athletic director Pat Chun.

Rolovich claimed that, as a Catholic, he was exempted from the state's vaccine mandate, but his exemption request had been denied.

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However, Rice found no basis for Rolovich's objection to the vaccine on religious grounds.

"[Rolovich] frequently expressed secular concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine to friends, family members and coworkers," Rice wrote. "In the thousands of pages of discovery, Plaintiff does not invoke a religious objection to the vaccine. This alone is a basis for denying Plaintiff's claimed religious objection."

After his firing, many of Rolovich's players spoke out in support of their head coach and the impact he had on their lives. 

Former Washington State player and current Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson released an emotional statement in support of Rolovich shortly after the coach's firing in October 2021.

KIRBY SMART REACTS TO INACTIVE GEORGIA PLAYER DRAWING BIZARRE PENALTY IN SUGAR BOWL LOSS: ‘UNDISCIPLINED’

"This man changed my life in so many ways.. A real stand up dude that always stands on what he believes in heart was so pure and a true role model to me and my teammates. Was always bigger than a dollar sign which is the only thing you wrap your fingers around," Watson wrote on X (then known as Twitter). "Everyone bashes this man day in and day out like he is not human or has feelings. Forcing him to have no friends all he had was us and all we had was him."

Former Washington State punter Nick Haberer spoke about the transformative impact Rolovich had on his life that same month. 

"Crazy to think that a year ago I was back in Australia not knowing what to do with my life and Coach Rolo took a chance on me. He was my Coach, my mate and most importantly my mentor and taught me valuable life lessons that will always be with me!" Haberer wrote on X. 

During a November 2022 episode of "The Jason Rantz Show," Rolovich alleged that around the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, the Washington State athletic director suggested he receive a COVID-19 vaccine in front of the entire football team.

"The AD said, 'Hey, let’s put you on the 50-yard line, we’ll have the team all around you and the doctor will give you the vaccine in front of everybody,'" Rolovich said. 

"I said, ‘Absolutely not. I have no desire to do that.’ I wasn't going to make it a circus."

Meanwhile, Rice previously made a ruling that made abortion medication more accessible. In April 2023, Rice ordered U.S. authorities not to make any changes that would restrict access to the abortion medication mifepristone in 17 Democrat-led states that sued over the issue.

While the states sued in an effort to expand access to the pill, Rice did not go that far. Instead, he blocked the FDA from making any changes to the drug’s access in the states that sued.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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California to consider law banning trans athletes from girls' sports after countless scandals cause outrage

California State Assemblymember Kate Sanchez announced on Monday that she is introducing a bill to ban trans athletes from competing in girls' and women's sports.

Sanchez will propose the Protect Girls’ Sports Act to the state legislature. Currently, 25 states have similar laws in effect. But California has had a state law in effect since 2014 that has enabled trans athletes to participate in women's and girls' sports, and it even requires public institutions to protect trans athletes at the expense of biological female competitors. 

"Young women who have spent years training and sacrificing to compete at the highest level are now forced to compete against individuals with undeniable biological advantages. It’s not just unfair – it’s disheartening and dangerous," Sanchez said in a statement announcing the bill. 

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California's law, AB 1266, which has been in effect since 2014, gives California students at scholastic and collegiate levels the right to "participate in sex-segregated school programs and activities, including athletic teams and competitions, and use facilities consistent with his or her gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil’s records."

California's Code of Regulations section 4910(k) defines gender as: "A person’s actual sex or perceived sex and includes a person’s perceived identity, appearance or behavior, whether or not that identity, appearance, or behavior is different from that traditionally associated with a person’s sex at birth."

California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Bylaw 300.D. mirrors the Education Code, stating, "All students should have the opportunity to participate in CIF activities in a manner that is consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on a student’s records."

These current laws in the Golden Start have resulted in multiple scandals and national controversies involving trans athletes in women's sports in 2024 alone.

Martin Luther King High School in Riverside, California, is currently embroiled in one of the most contentious local controversies on the issue.

A recent school board meeting by the Riverside Unified School District on Dec. 19 featured a parade of parents berating the board for allowing a trans athlete on the Martin Luther King girls' cross-country team. A lawsuit filed by two girls on the team alleges that their T-shirts in protest of that player were compared to swastikas simply because they say "Save Girls Sports." 

The father of a girl who lost her varsity spot to the trans athlete recently told Fox News Digital that his daughter and other girls at the school were told "transgenders have more rights than cisgender[s]" by school administrators when they protested the athlete's participation.

Stone Ridge Christian High School's girls' volleyball team was scheduled to face San Francisco Waldorf in the Northern California Division 6 tournament but forfeited in an announcement just before the match over the presence of a trans athlete on the team.

HOW TRANSGENDERISM IN SPORTS SHIFTED THE 2024 ELECTION AND IGNITED A NATIONAL COUNTERCULTURE

A transgender volleyball player was booed and harassed at an Oct. 12 match between Notre Dame Belmont in Belmont, California, against Half Moon Bay High School, according to ABC 7. Half Moon Bay rostered the transgender athlete.

At the college level, San Jose State university's volleyball team was hampered by, arguably, the biggest scandal involving transgenderism in women's sports in recent history in 2024.

SJSU co-captain Brooke Slusser is engaged in multiple lawsuits against the university, the Mountain West conference and the NCAA, alleging the school had her share a team, changing spaces and even bedrooms with teammate Blaire Fleming without ever informing her or other players that Fleming was a biological male. 

The team was the target of national attention this past season amid the controversy, as President-elect Trump even called out Fleming for how hard the trans athlete spiked the ball at an opposing player during a Fox News town hall event in October. 

The team saw eight matches forfeited amid the scandal, including the semifinal round of the Mountain West Tournament after Boise State refused to face the Spartans for the third time. Slusser, Fleming and the rest of the team all ended up playing in the championship game, where they lost to Colorado State to end their season and the two players' respective college careers. 

Slusser has told Fox News Digital that the entire experience involving Fleming was "traumatizing." 

"This season has been so traumatizing that I don't even have a proudest moment," Slusser said. 

Most of the team's remaining players have entered the transfer portal in the aftermath of the controversy. 

Trump has pledged to instill a full-on ban on trans athletes in women's sports to the near unanimous support of Republican allies.

The new Republican-controlled Congress will hear arguments on a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women's sports in its first 100 days after voting yes on a new rules package Friday. 

Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., celebrated Friday's vote and will reintroduce the bill included in the rules package, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. 

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., told Fox News Digital he is also reintroducing that measure in the Senate, and with the approval of leadership, it's expected to get a floor vote.

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Deion Sanders gives 1-word reaction to Titans firing general manager as son Shedeur could be top pick

The Tennessee Titans earlier Tuesday fired their general manager roughly three months before the team is slated to make the top pick in the NFL Draft.

The organization announced that Ran Carthon was relieved of his duties following a 3-14 campaign despite the team going on a free-agent shopping spree in the previous offseason.

 In his two seasons at the helm, Carthon was 9-25.

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With Tennessee owning the No. 1 pick in the draft, the move certainly caught the eye of Deion Sanders, whose son, Shedeur, is very much in the conversation to be the first name off the board.

Sanders took to X when he saw the news, simply writing, "WOW" with eyeball emojis.

Shedeur or Cam Ward figure to be the top selection, as the Titans seem to be in the quarterback market. They drafted Will Levis early in the second round of the 2023 draft, but it's been a roller-coaster for the Kentucky alum. However, franchise legend Chris Johnson did say the team would be "absolute fools" if they did not take Shedeur's teammate, Travis Hunter.

Titans team owner Amy Adams Strunk informed Carthon that the team would be making a change on Tuesday morning.

2025 NFL DRAFT NO. 1 PICK ODDS: CAM WARD NEW FAVORITE

"I've loved the time I've spent with Ran. He's a talented football mind, a great man, and friend to everyone along his path. It's impossible to ignore that our football team hasn't improved over the past two years. I am deeply disappointed in our poor win-loss record during this period, of course, but my decision also speaks to my concern about our long-term future should we stay the course," Strunk said in a statement. 

"I love this team more than you can imagine. To our fans: we know this level of performance isn't acceptable. We're humbled by your support as we continue to work towards building the team you expect and deserve."

Despite the firing of Carthon, head coach Brian Callahan will return next season.

The Cleveland Browns and New York Giants pick second and third overall, respectively, and while the Browns seem to be a wild card with Deshaun Watson still around, the G-Men desperately need to find their franchise quarterback. The question for them, though, is, will one be around by the time they are on the clock.

Fox News' Ryan Canfield contributed to this report.

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Lions expect key offensive weapon to be available for 1st playoff game, head coach says

"Knuckles" seems to be pairing up with "Sonic" right away in the NFL playoffs

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Tuesday that he expects David Montgomery to be available in the backfield for the team’s divisional round playoff game. 

The Lions get a bye as the No. 1 seed in the NFC and will host the lowest seed of wild-card round winners. Those teams would either be the Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders or Green Bay Packers. 

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This is a huge development for the Lions, a team ravaged by injuries all season long, as Montgomery suffered an MCL injury in Week 15. 

There was an initial fear that he would be out the remainder of the season, which would’ve been a crushing blow for the squad, even with the talent Jahmyr Gibbs possesses at the position. 

VIKINGS LINEMAN'S WIFE SAYS SHE WAS ‘HECKLED, TOUCHED AND CALLED NAMES’ DURING GAME VS LIONS

But Montgomery didn’t take surgery as the only option, seeking different opinions from doctors on how he could rehab his knee and be available for his team in the playoffs. That decision appears to have worked. 

While Montgomery has been rehabbing, Gibbs has been thriving with the heavier workload, which includes a four-touchdown game that clinched the No. 1 seed in Week 18 against the Vikings

Gibbs has tallied three straight 100-plus rushing yard games since becoming the true lead running back. He has totaled 365 yards on the ground on 64 carries while hauling in 13 passes for 122 yards with a score.

But the Lions’ offense has benefited from using both Montgomery and Gibbs this season, with the former owning 775 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns while also having 341 receiving yards. 

Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s luxury of having two bruising running backs that can get the job done no matter the down and distance has done wonders for his scheme, which also features a dynamic passing game led by quarterback Jared Goff. 

While the Lions will still be without key players, including star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who fractured his leg in Week 6 and is considered a long shot to be available at all the rest of the way, they’ll take all the healthy players they can get, especially one who has had such an offensive impact.

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Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell responds to teams reportedly wanting to trade for him ahead of playoffs

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is entirely focused on his wild-card round matchup against the Los Angeles Rams this week, but he did respond to a surprising report that revolves around him. 

During "Fox NFL Sunday," Jay Glazer reported that multiple teams are interested in trading for O'Connell, one of the league's "Coach of the Year" frontrunners, heading into this offseason. 

It's rare, but yes, teams can trade for coaches, and the offensive-minded O'Connell is someone that is piquing the interest of teams in need of filling that void in their organization. 

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However, when asked on Monday about the report, O'Connell expressed his desire to stay put in Minneapolis. 

"I’m not really interested in kind of, I guess I should say, addressing the rumors or speculation," O’Connell told reporters, via the New York Post. "What I can tell you is I love this team. I love everything about this organization. This is where I want to be. This is where I want to keep coaching and leading."

VIKINGS LINEMAN'S WIFE SAYS SHE WAS ‘HECKLED, TOUCHED AND CALLED NAMES’ DURING GAME VS LIONS

While O'Connell clearly has a preference of where he wants to be, the Wilf family, owners of the Vikings, have "no interest" in trading their head coach, according to ESPN.

O'Connell's priority is handling the Rams this upcoming Monday, a team that handed the Vikings one of their three losses this season. Los Angeles took care of business on their home turf in a 30-20 win over Minnesota in Week 8.

O'Connell is also looking to win his first playoff game with the Vikings, as that didn't happen in 2022 when his squad went 13-4 but lost to the New York Giants in the wild-card round. 

A 7-10 season, which included Kirk Cousins tearing his Achilles midway through, followed in 2023 before O'Connell's squad bounced back under Sam Darnold's leadership on offense. 

This matchup against Rams head coach Sean McVay is a familiar one considering O'Connell was Los Angeles' offensive coordinator before being hired by Minnesota. 

The Vikings open up the weekend as slight favorites against the Rams, but a battle between two teams and two coaches who know each other very well is expected to be a thriller. 

And until the Vikings' Super Bowl run comes to an end, O'Connell's sole focus will be on the team he wants to remain with either way.

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Raiders fire head coach Antonio Pierce

The Las Vegas Raiders will be searching for another head coach this offseason, as they have reportedly let Antonio Pierce go after one full season, the team confirmed in a statement. 

Pierce was retained as the team's full-time head coach after taking over in an interim role for Josh McDaniels, who was fired midway through the 2023 campaign. 

Raiders players showed more fight when he took over, and owner Mark Davis took that into account when conducting his head coaching search last offseason

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However, after going 4-13 in a tumultuous season, the Raiders will be back on the hunt to find the right coach to continue the team's rebuild.

"The Las Vegas Raiders have relieved Antonio Pierce of his duties as head coach," the Raiders' statement read. "We appreciate Antonio's leadership, first as an interim head coach and this past season as the head coach. 

"Antonio grew up a Raiders fan and his Silver and Black roots run deep. We are grateful for his ability to reignite what it means to be a Raider throughout the entire organization. We wish nothing but the best for Antonio and his family."

WHO ARE THE 10 BEST RAIDERS PLAYERS OF ALL TIME? 

Pierce spoke with reporters on Monday after the regular season came to an end, saying he hadn’t "heard anything different" about his status. He said his focus would be on improving as a head coach. 

"What I need to do a better job of, I need to go with my gut," Pierce said. "I was better at that last year. This year I didn't do what I wanted to do as much as I wanted to do it."

The Raiders have been a revolving door at head coach in recent seasons, with Jon Gruden resigning in 2021, followed by McDaniels getting fired after a season and a half. 

Now, Pierce, who players like Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams (who was traded this past season to the New York Jets) gave the thumbs up to, will search for his next coaching opportunity. 

Las Vegas joins a head coaching search with teams like the Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots, who have already placed numerous requests for interviews to get the ball rolling on that front. 

Top candidates that have been named are Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson and DC Aaron Glenn, Pittsburgh Steelers OC Arthur Smith, former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel and Tampa Bay Buccaneers OC Liam Coen. 

Pierce's coaching journey began in high school at Long Beach Poly (CA) before making the jump to college with Arizona State in 2018 as a linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator. He would work his way up to defensive coordinator and associate head coach with the Sun Devils before returning to the NFL to the Raiders. 

Pierce, a Super Bowl champion linebacker in his playing days with the New York Giants, was the Raiders' linebackers coach in 2022 and held the same position before serving in his interim head coach role in 2023. 

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Giants legend Eli Manning backs team's decision to stick with Brian Daboll, Joe Schoen despite woeful season

While most fans may not agree with the New York Giants’ decision to stick with head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen following another disappointing season, the announcement was met with praise by one of the organization’s greats. 

Former quarterback Eli Manning said in an interview with USA Today on Monday that Giants co-owner John Mara made "the right decision" in maintaining the organization’s leadership despite the 3-14 record because he believes the vicious coaching cycle can often work against a team. 

"You've got to have that continuity," Manning said. "To change things up has not worked. It has not worked for the Giants these last 10 years of changing every two or three years.

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"I think Brian Daboll has showed that he has won, two years ago in the playoffs. So I think the opportunity for them to go in, they've got to figure out the quarterback situation this year, but they have talent," he continued. 

"They have guys around that are playing at a high level. It's just building that great team culture. That just takes time, and I think it's the right move to give him that time to do that."

Mara released a statement Monday acknowledging that the season was "disappointing," but added that he remains "confident" in Schoen and Daboll. 

GIANTS' JOHN MARA JOKES HE WAS UPSET WITH SAQUON BARKLEY OVER AD, WANTED TO BE INVOLVED

"Now that our season is over, we felt it necessary to make this statement. Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll will continue in their respective roles with the organization. As disappointing as the results of the season have been, Steve (Tisch) and I remain confident in the process that Joe and Brian have implemented and their vision for our team. We look forward to the future and achieving the results we all desire."

Speaking to reporters from the practice facility on Monday, Mara expressed his desire for the two to turn things around quickly. 

"It better not take too long," he said, "because I’ve just about run out of patience."

There was little that went right for the Giants this season which was highlighted by their struggles with the quarterback position. After releasing Daniel Jones and failing to find consistency in their current quarterback room, Mara said it will be their top priority in the offseason. 

"That's obviously the number one issue for us going into this offseason, is to find our quarterback of the future," he said. "Whether that be via the draft or acquiring a veteran, it's going to be up to [Schoen and Daboll] to decide, ultimately."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Titans, with No. 1 draft pick, fire general manager Ran Carthon

The Tennessee Titans secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after a loss in Week 18. However, general manager Ran Carthon will not be making that selection. 

The team announced on Tuesday that, after two seasons, they have parted ways with Carthon. 

The Titans were 3-14 this season, and 9-25 over the past two years with Carthon at the helm. 

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Titans team owner Amy Adams Strunk informed Carthon that the team would be making a change on Tuesday morning.

"I've loved the time I've spent with Ran. He's a talented football mind, a great man, and friend to everyone along his path. It's impossible to ignore that our football team hasn't improved over the past two years. I am deeply disappointed in our poor win-loss record during this period, of course, but my decision also speaks to my concern about our long-term future should we stay the course," Strunk said in a statement. 

"I love this team more than you can imagine. To our fans: we know this level of performance isn't acceptable. We're humbled by your support as we continue to work towards building the team you expect and deserve."

Despite the firing of Carthon, head coach Brian Callahan will return next season.

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President of Football Operations Chad Brinker will lead the search for their new general manager. 

In the Titans statement, Brinker listed what he will be looking for. 

"I think the general manager position is unique to their respective organizations. This particular job, what we'll be looking for is someone who has spent their career as a scout, is a top-flight, top-level evaluator who has spent the majority of their career projecting college players to the National Football League, they've had a major hand in setting the draft board in preferably a consistent, winning organization, and you can see their fingerprints all over the roster," Brinker said.

"It is someone who wakes up every single day and the only thing they think about is building a roster, evaluating players, watching tape, working with the coaching staff. And, not just someone who knows how to collect talent, but someone who really understands how to build a team and how all the pieces fit together that I can work with not only in the short term, winning today, but building for the future, the long term, and understanding how all those pieces fit together. If you make a decision here, how it impacts a decision down the road, and really understand the full puzzle.

"At the end of the day, this person is going to be all ball, all day. They are going to focus on the roster and the coaching staff, and I'll continue in my role with handling all the other areas that surround the center of our program, scouting and coaches. So, I will support that person. But we are looking for a general manager who wakes up every day and is focused on building the team."

Whoever the new general manager is, they are armed with the top pick in the draft, and a little over $61 million in cap space, according to Over The Cap.

The big question for their new general manager is what they want to do at the quarterback position, after second-year quarterback Will Levis struggled this season. 

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Chargers to sign Ezekiel Elliott ahead of playoff game: reports

Ezekiel Elliott’s 2024 season may not be over after all.

The Los Angeles Chargers plan to sign the veteran running back to their practice squad ahead of their AFC Wild Card matchup against the Houston Texans, according to multiple reports on Monday.

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The Chargers hit the road against the Texans over the weekend. They play on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Elliott returned to the Dallas Cowboys in the offseason after spending time with the New England Patriots and Tony Pollard signed with the Tennessee Titans. Dallas did not pursue Derrick Henry, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens.

The 29-year-old played in 15 games for Dallas and ran for 226 yards on 74 carries. He scored three times. The two-time rushing leader has 9,130 yards and 74 rushing touchdowns in nine seasons. He’ll have at least one more shot at playoff success with Los Angeles.

PACKERS TAKE HUGE HIT ON OFFENSE BEFORE PLAYOFFS AS STAR WIDE RECEIVER SUFFERS KNEE INJURY

The Chargers have gone with J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards in the backfield this season after Austin Ekeler left the team and joined the Washington Commanders.

Dobbins has had a breakout performance in his first mostly healthy season since his rookie year in 2020. He has 905 rushing yards and nine touchdowns this season. Edwards has 365 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

Edwards missed the last two games of the regular season with an ankle injury. It could open up an opportunity for Elliott to be in the backfield if he cannot go on Saturday.

Los Angeles, in its first season with Jim Harbaugh as the head coach, finished 11-6.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Rex Ryan vows 'country club' atmosphere for Aaron Rodgers is over if he lands Jets coaching job

Former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan is lobbying for his old job and part of those efforts included him revealing one major change to come if he were to land the gig. 

Ryan, who led the Jets to back-to-back AFC championship game appearances during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, will be interviewing for the job with owner Woody Johnson in Florida on Tuesday. 

He appeared all but sure that he would be the best fit for the job during an interview with ESPN radio on Monday. 

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"The reason I think I'm going to get it is because I'm the best guy for it. It ain't close," he said, via ESPN. "The thing you have to do is, you have to connect with your football team, you have to connect with your fan base. The way they play, that's the most important thing. It's not just the Xs and Os and all that."

Aside from showing his confidence, Ryan even offered a pitch – one that took direct aim at quarterback Aaron Rodgers. 

AARON RODGERS' DECISION LOOMS LARGE AS JETS SEARCH FOR A NEW COACH, GM

"Clearly, when you have a guy that doesn't show up for mandatory minicamp – and, by the way, he's your quarterback, coming off an injury – I think that's an absolutely ridiculous message you send to the team," Ryan said of Rodgers missing mandatory minicamp over the summer for a trip to Egypt. 

"If he comes back, things would be different. If he's back, it ain't gonna be the country club, show up whenever the hell you want to show up. That ain't gonna happen. I'll just leave it at that."

Rodgers spoke about his future with the Jets with some level of uncertainty following their season-ending victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. 

"Whether I’m back or whether it’s the guys they’ve got or new guys or whatever, the focus has to be how can I, the player, be part of the solution, not the problem?" Rodgers said. "And I have a lot of love for this organization and I hope it gets turned around. If I’m back part of it, I’ll do everything in my power to get it turned around."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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Cowboys' Jerry Jones has no interest in giving up GM role: 'I bought an occupation'

Jerry Jones has been the owner, president and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys since he bought the team in 1989.

The shrewd moves he made in the 1990s allowed the team to win three Super Bowls, but the team has not found the same success since last winning the title during the 1995 season. Dallas hasn’t made it back to the big game since, nor have they made an NFC Championship appearance.

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Even winning 12 games three years in a row recently, Dallas still had yet to make it out of the divisional round. As fans turn up the scrutiny on Jones’ decision-making, the 82-year-old billionaire made clear he has no plans to give up the general manager role.

"No. Just, no," he said Sunday, via The Athletic. "I bought the team, I think the first thing to come out of my mouth… somebody asked, ‘Did you buy this for your kids?’ I said, ‘Hell no. I bought it for me.’ And I didn’t buy an investment. I bought an occupation, and I bought something I was going to do.

"I was 46 (years old). I bought something I was going to do for the rest of my life. That’s what I’m doing. So, no. The facts are, since I have to decide where the money is spent, then you might as well cut all of the bull---- out. That’s who’s making the call anyways."

PACKERS TAKE HUGE HIT ON OFFENSE BEFORE PLAYOFFS AS STAR WIDE RECEIVER SUFFERS KNEE INJURY

Jones has a list of crucial personnel decisions coming as the Cowboys enter the offseason.

Head coach Mike McCarthy’s contract is expiring with some hope he will be back at the helm in 2025. The team will also have to decide what to do with players like Zack Martin, DeMarcus Lawrence, Brandin Cooks and Jourdan Lewis, who could hit free agency in March.

The team exercised its fifth-year option on pass rusher Micah Parsons, but he will definitely be looking for a new deal soon.

Dallas had an injury-riddled 2024 season and finished 7-10.

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WWE legend Hulk Hogan hears boos on 'Monday Night Raw,' Los Angeles fans face criticism

WWE legend Hulk Hogan made a special appearance at the Intuit Dome with Jimmy Hart as "Monday Night Raw" debuted on Netflix.

Hogan came out to his "Real American" theme song with Hart waving the American flag in the background. As Hogan tried to cut a promo for his Real American Beer brand, which signed a deal with WWE before the show, he was met with a bunch of boos from the Los Angeles crowd.

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The 71-year-old WWE Hall of Famer was seen for a few minutes before he walked to the back.

While the Los Angeles crowd was quick to make their displeasure known, not everyone watching "Raw" on Netflix was pleased with the treatment Hogan received. "The Hulkster" found defenders on social media.

"Hulk Hogan getting boo’d probably because the state of California is the biggest left sided piece of s--- state in the country. F--- your political views and watch wrestling," one Hogan fan wrote on X.

"I love Hulk Hogan idgaf. Guy had a whole life and made a few mistakes okay so what. F-----g people acting holier than holy. P--- off," another Hogan defender added.

JOHN CENA'S FAREWELL TOUR BEGINS WITH MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT ON RAW'S NETFLIX PREMIERE

"The booing for hulk hogan is r------d btw, he’s a legend, respect him," another fan wrote.

"Hulk Hogan getting boo’d on Raw is because he’s MAGA. F----n’ hypocrites. Without Hogan ya’ll aren’t watching WWE. Grow up, Trump is your president," another added.

It was Hogan’s first appearance since he came out in full support of President-elect Donald Trump during election season. Hogan was seen in Trump’s corner during a rally at Madison Square Garden back in October and the Republican National Convention in July.

He also appeared on the "PBD Podcast" and revealed why he decided to speak out, pointing to the assassination attempt against Trump over the summer.

"When they tried to kill Trump, someone that I knew personally, it affected me worse," he said. "I sat up off the couch and I said, ‘that’s it, this has to stop.’ I don’t want to split my audience as a businessman but now I don’t care. This is much more important than business. This is a spiritual revolution now.

"This guy is coming out trying to help people. He wants to help millions of people. He wants to help America. Have God in our country, in our homes, in our schools, and I said, ‘I can’t handle it.’"

Hogan’s appearance in Los Angeles came about two months after Trump defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the election.

Hogan, along with Hart, appeared on the "Raw" anniversary show back in January 2023. He warmed up the crowd in Philadelphia at the time and received the totally opposite reception.

The pro wrestler’s relationship with the company has been hot and cold. He has had multiple separations with the company over several scandals.

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Packers take huge hit on offense before playoffs as star wide receiver suffers knee injury

The Green Bay Packers and quarterback Jordan Love lost a big weapon during the team’s 24-22 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. 

Star wide receiver Christian Watson tore his ACL and suffered additional damage to his knee, ending his season and putting the beginning of next season in doubt, according to the NFL Network

Packers’ head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed the news on Monday, saying Watson will be out for the rest of the year.

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Watson, 25, was running a route in the second quarter, and then crumpled to the ground grabbing his knee, suffering the injury on a non-contact play. 

LaFleur talked about what losing Watson means for the offense.

"Yeah, it’s a big-time loss, just his presence on the field alone. He’s so versatile in his ability to play multiple positions. You can put him at the X, the F, the Z, you can move him all over the place. Obviously, he’s got an element in terms of his size and speed that’s tough to replicate. There’s not many built like him around the league and I just, I hurt for him," LaFleur said in his press conference Monday.

"Obviously, hurt for our team, but also just more for him, just because I know how much he’s put into this thing, and just like all our guys, you never want to see that, and it’s an unfortunate part of our game."

Watson was questionable with a knee injury going into Week 18, but LaFleur said the knee he injured in the game was actually the other knee that had not been bothering him. 

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LaFleur said that he is confident in how Watson will attack his rehab. 

"But like I told him, I know he’ll attack it the right way, he’ll handle the adversity, it’ll just be a bump in the road for him and I think he’ll come back better. That’s just how he is built, how he’s wired, and so I do think that there’ll be good, it’s just going to be down the road," LaFleur said. 

Watson is in his third season after being drafted in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of North Dakota State. 

This season, Watson had 29 catches for 620 yards and two touchdowns across 15 games. The deep threat is second in the NFL in average yards per reception, averaging 21.4 yards per catch. 

The Packers finished the season 11-6, and are the No. 7 seed in the NFC. They will take on the No. 2-seeded Philadelphia Eagles on the road in the Wild Card Round. 

Without Watson, the Packers will rely on wide receivers Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and Malik Heath to fill in.

The Packers and Eagles will play at 4:30 p.m. ET on Sunday on FOX. 

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Bulls' Coby White throws down vicious dunk over 7-foot-3 phenom Victor Wembanyama

Chicago Bulls guard Coby White accomplished the nearly impossible on Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs.

The Bulls were clinging to a one-point lead with under 20 seconds to play. White got the ball on the far side of the court and drove to the basket. He leaped and met the 7-foot-3-inch phenom Victor Wembanyama at the basket. White, who is listed at 6 feet, 5 inches, won the battle.

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White threw a dunk over Wembanyama with fans at the United Center erupting in delight.

Chicago won the game 114-110. White’s dunk was two of the 23 points he scored in the 36 minutes he played. He was 9-of-18 from the field with four assists and four steals.

"I was gonna try to dunk it before he can get to the rim," White told reporters after the game, via Basket News. "And then I knew when I was driving if I was to lay it in finger roll or anything, he was going to block it.

MAVERICKS DON’T HAVE TIMELINE YET FOR KYRIE IRVING’S RETURN FROM BACK INJURY

"So I just was like I got to dunk it. And then especially to try to ice the game to go up four. I just wanted to make sure that I got the basket."

Zach LaVine led Chicago with 35 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

Wembanyama led the Spurs with 23 points, 14 rebounds and eight blocks in the loss. Chris Paul added 18 points and nine assists.

Chicago improved to 17-19 on the season. The Bulls sit in the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference.

San Antonio fell to 18-18 on the year. The Spurs also sit in the 10th spot, but in the Western Conference.

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Vikings lineman's wife says she was 'heckled, touched and called names' during game vs Lions

Whitney Risner, the wife of Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman Dalton Risner, spoke out about the behavior of Detroit Lions fans at Ford Field ahead of their Sunday night matchup.

Risner was doing a "get ready with me" video showing off her outfit before going to the pivotal NFC North matchup between the two teams. She said when the two teams played last year in Detroit, she did not realize how much heckling there was going to be.

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"Last year, I wore a flashy purple jacket, and I’ve never been heckled so much at an away game," she said in the video.

She added more context about Sunday night's game on the screen.

"Little did I know that I would be heckled, touched and called names at last night’s game by Detroit fans (Simply for being Vikings fans)," she added.

Taylor Saunders, the girlfriend of Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman, also claimed fans were "wishing injuries on the opposing players" in response to a social media comment praising Lions fans.

BEARS PUT COWBOYS IN COACHING DILEMMA AFTER REQUESTING TO INTERVIEW MIKE MCCARTHY: REPORTS

It was a raucous crowd for both games at Ford Field – in 2023 and on Sunday night. Detroit fans have thrown their support fully behind their team on the way to the playoffs.

This season, the Lions will enter the playoffs with the No. 1 seed. They will have homefield advantage through the NFC playoffs with dreams of a Super Bowl appearance.

It is the first time since the 1950s that the Lions have won back-to-back division titles. The team has never made it to a Super Bowl.

They could end up facing the Vikings again in the playoffs. Minnesota put together an incredible season behind Sam Darnold, finishing right behind Detroit in the division.

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